Friday, May 30, 2008

U.G.L.Y. You ain't got no alibi.

So tomorrow we're having our engagement photos taken, and last night I thought I'd try on a few outfits and take pictures of myself in them to see how they look on camera. And on the one hand, thank god I did, because every potential outfit I'd put together in my head looked terrible. Seriously, AWFUL. But on the other hand? Seeing yourself look terrible in a bunch of your favorite outfits? Not so good for the self-esteem.

By the end of the photo session, I'd scoured my closet about eighteen times looking for some mysterious perfect outfit to just present itself to me, and I was practically on the verge of tears from seeing so many hideous photos of myself one after another. Yes, I'm vain, I know, I have more important things to worry about, but by the end of the night I was convinced that we should cancel our photo session because I was going to look terrible in every single photo.

I mean yes, it was late at night, and I was tired, and the lighting sucked, and I wasn't wearing any makeup, and my hair was a mess, but the CLOTHES. And the BODY. By the time I was done I was sitting there thinking what a waste it was to lose all this damn weight, because I was so convinced of my own hideousness. Seriously, you know how Randy Jackson tells good American Idol contestants that they could sing the phone book? In other words, they can make anything sound good? Well, I'm the opposite--I can make anything look bad. Or at least that's how I felt last night.

This morning I had pulled myself together a bit, and narrowed it down to four more or less reasonable outfits. The photographer recommends casual dress, specifically jeans, and neutral tones, but I did try one bright colored top and one skirt, just to see. So, now I put it to you for a vote.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Option 3:

Option 4:

So, which one should I wear? And please, any cruel lurkers out there, please don't choose today to de-lurk and tell me that it doesn't matter because I make everything look like a gunnysack anyway. I'm pretty sure my fragile self-esteem couldn't take it.

Um, yah, screw the haters and the lurkers, my dear, because you? Are fantastic. Inside and out. And I think you look awesome in everything? But I like #4. Maybe that's because it's very close to how I dress? Dunno. Just my two cents. LOVES!

I actually like the skirt one best. Or number 4. Maybe add a cute necklace? I would stay away from the lilac top because it might make you look washed out in photos. If you are pale (and I am too), that isn't the best combo for photos. Even if it looks okay in person.

At first I was a huge fan of #4...I'm a black top/jeans girl. But then I rethought it and think you should go for a the brightness of #1. These are your engagement photos after all :) You want them to be bright and happy!

I'll help Tessie with the whole burning the Internet and ash-choking thing if any jerks show up.

I like the bright colors the best. They look really nice on you. I think the skirt outfit looks great, as does the red shirt. The red shirt is my favorite top on you. Do you have a darker/brighter purple shirt similar in cut and style to the red one? I only ask because I know how much you love purple and all, and I think it would look good as well. With your coloring, you can wear those bright colors so well. I'm not sure which jeans, though. I like the ones you have with the red shirt and that outfit looks fantastic, but I'd like to see the red shirt (or a bright dark purple one) paired with a darker pair of jeans as well. Don't forget to let us know what you do choose to wear. I hope we'll get to see the final pictures!

God, I love Tessie. She said everything perfectly. You are beautiful inside and out.

I love the red top, too, and the turquoise one, and the jeans from number 1. The black shirt in number 4 is cute (I love the cap sleeves) and would look nice paired with the jeans from number 1. The all black would look good if you are doing outdoor pictures with lots of bright green leaves. I took some pre-wedding photos of a friend of mine and her husband and she wore solid black and really stood out against the garden where we took the photos.

You look GREAT in all of them! I am a turquoise gal myself and I love option number 3. Skirts are so fun and flirty, but casual all at the same time. I also really liked number 4, because I love wearing the color black, its classy yet can be dressed up or down. Please let us know what you decide!

#1 is my fav, because you will photograph GREAT in red. I only allow photos from the waist up. Makes people wonder if we are EVER wearing pants, but hey, lest they can judge my hips.Have a great shoot! Post the proofs soon!

I would go with 3 or 4. But 3 would depend on what Torsten was wearing - you wouldn't want to look too overdressed. I like 4 a lot. I think black and jeans is a staple outfit. Cute, but casual. And always classic. It is usually my fall back 'go out' outfit. maybe a cute pair of earrings or a necklace with either a bit of color or shine (black beads, etc.)

#3! I love, love, LOVE outfit 3. The color combo looks great on film, the color of the top is very flattering, and the overall shape of the outfit is adorable.

My second choice (since my pick does go against the photographer's recommendation a tad) is outfit 4. As-is though, I really like those jeans with that top! =)

I'm guessing the reason the photographer recommends neutral colors is so the colors don't clash with the environment/backgrounds...So even though the red top from #1 is a lovely color on you, it might be veering too off course from the photographer's recommendation for just that very reason. Or maybe I'm just over-thinking it.

I like the top with #3 with the jeans in #4. Are your photos going to be outside? If so, neutral colors (such as your top in #4) will look FANTASTIC against greenery. And you can go a little heavier on makeup than you normally do. I felt like a circus clown in my photos, but with the lighting and everything, you couldn't even tell I had so much makeup on.

The skirt is beautiful, but if you're posing outside, it might be a pain (especially if it's windy or you're lying down for shots).

I think the purple might make you look washed out, but do you have a darker purple top? (If you say no, I will be shocked. Shocked!)

What color is Torsten wearing? You'll want to coordinate a bit with him (not the same color per se, but complementary colors at least).

now, Im a skirt person, so that one is my obvs fav.but in terms of pictures, I think maybe you should go with the last one, i think it will photograph the best over all, in color and black and white, but if you had a colorful necklace or chunky bracelet to add, i think that would be nice!

I'm susceptible to people's comments so while my first choice is option 4 (love the neckline of the top on you!), if you want to go bright on top why not the tank in option 1 with the jeans in option 4?

i love the color in #1 and #3, but i think the cut on #4 is hot. also if it were me, i probably would wimp out and go w/the neutral black in the end. (i second slynnro, btw - lilac looks great here, but in some light can make us pale gals look totally washed out. i'd nix it to be safe.)

I love the cut of that black top, but on the other hand those bright colors are so good on you and look so cheerful. The black is good on you too, just less cheerful.

Also, what I really truly want to say is that I think you look ravishing. But the problem is that since you posted about how you don't think so, you will think I'm saying so just because that is what girls tend to do: Girl 1 says "Oh, I look terrible!" and Girl 2 automatically says "Oh, you do not! You look great!" But the thing is, you DO look great. So what is Girl 2 to do, if she wants to sound sincere rather than knee-jerk?

The red looks fantastic on you and honestly, you couldn't be cuter in that skirt. You have to pick out what makes you feel the most comfortable or you will hate the pictures. It's all about feeling comfy in your own skin because that exudes.

I might be going out on a limb but I'd suggest putting the red top with the adorable skirt. Hello fabulousness!

I totally feel your pain on the self-esteem issue. But you know what? This is what you look like RIGHT NOW. And in the future, when you look back on these engagement photos, what you will see is what you looked like RIGHT THEN. You are a beautiful woman, Jess. Never think otherwise.

Well, red is definitely one of your colors, my dear. I like the v-neck on #2's shirt on you too. For real? I don't think you can go wrong with any of the options you've picked! I hope you post the engagement photos!

1.you are not ugly.2. you are beautiful.3. i like option #4 the best because it's very flattering, perfect combo of dressy casual, and black is classic, and looks great in photos, and light colors...ehh. just not a fan.4. i heart you, and am SO excited to see the pic proofs!!!

1.you are not ugly.2. you are beautiful.3. i like option #4 the best because it's very flattering, perfect combo of dressy casual, and black is classic, and looks great in photos, and light colors...ehh. just not a fan.4. i heart you, and am SO excited to see the pic proofs!!!

Okay, I lied. I just read everyone else's comments and want to add that I also like the style of #4, but I sooo think you rock the red color. Can you find style #4 in a red? That would be awesome. And the pants don't really matter unless you're getting full body shots, but upper body only ones usually look best, so why worry about the pants?

Okay, I'm delurking, but I'm not mean. Promise! :-) I like #4 the best. I tend to prefer a darker wash jean and think black is more timeless (although I LOVE the skirt in #3). Bring both outfits! I get a lot of wedding photographer blogs and I always prefer outfits that are pretty basic (maybe a pop of color in the shoe). But that's me. :-) Have fun with it!!!

I think that you should take BOTH outfit #3 and #4 and have pictures made with both. One a little more casual than the other. But if that is not an option then go with #4, that is the one that was my first choice when I scrolled down and without checking everyone else's choices first!

Whichever you decided, you will look marvelous and remember this is all about YOU and nobody else (well except Torsten, but he still doesn't count much in this, lol)!

I've SO had that day. You'll remember how lovely you are soon (and we'll all help you).

I like #4. That square neckline + short sleeves combo looks great on you and I strongly prefer dark jeans. If you're concerned about color, maybe you could add a long colorful necklace (which will both elongate and add a little pop).

I'd go with the purple or black.. but I think I'm kind of late in the game so maybe you've already gone? But if the jeans have shading on the leg all of that shading is going to make you look bigger. (believe me. I wore these AWESOME jeans once but the had shading on the side and they made me look like a cowza)

Just be think happy thoughts and it will come through in the picture! :-)

I like the black top a lot, and I really like the jeans in #1.Do you have a darker purple top? I really like the purple top, but I agree with slynnro that it might make you washed out, especially if it's sunny. It's always nice to have good contrast, because then if you do some black and white they won't all be just grey. And you look great! I know how lame it feels to look at a picture of myself in one of my favorite outfits and then think "Ah! I look ugly in this too!" but you look really pretty, so there's nothing to worry about.

First of all, I think everybody has had a day like that. ESPECIALLY when you know you're trying to find the perfect outfit for something big. But the good news is? You look beautiful in all of them. So quit worrying about that!I love love love the red with your skin & hair, you totally pull it off. But I'm gonna have to agree with a bunch of people here and say #4 is the best. It's classic, and won't take notice away from the beautiful face =)Have fun with it!

I think I'm likely too late, but I just wanted to tell you I LOVE the outfit for option number four. The neckline of the top is a great cut. I may be really biased because I love black shirts with jeans, but number four gets my vote.

PS: I hope you felt wonderful for the photo shoot. This day should be something wonderful for you!

I'm sure I'm too late, but I just wanted to let you know that I totally agree - the red looks fabulous on you, but the black will be timeless. I like both pairs of jeans, but probably the darker ones with a black top.

You are soo cute!! I'm sure I'm too late too, but alas I love number two and number four the most, and the rest the second most. Seriously, I don't know how you could go wrong with any of these and I agree with so much of what's being said. You look happy and honestly, that's what makes a good picture. I HATED how ours turned out, but I loved how happy we looked despite... well.. Anyway. I think you are so dang great.

This is going to be the most unhelpful comment ever. I keep thinking and rethinking which one I like best and I can't decide! They all look good. The only thing I would definitely say is that the shirt in #2 might make you look a little washed out. Speaking from experience here, since I am extremely fair-skinned. Although I really love the style of that shirt. Do you happen to have it in a darker or brighter color? Also, I know nothing about weddings or engagement photos, but would it be possible to at least take several shirts with you, and then possibly change? I would also suggest that you check on some pictures that you already have of yourself that you particularly like and then see what you have on there! Because clothes often look different in spontaneous pictures than they do when you take the pictures just to show the clothes. Know what I mean? Good luck with choosing your outfit! Will we get to see the engagement pictures when they're done? And also: I still want to know what you baked last weekend :-)

Ok, so I just realized that I am way too late. But I hope you guys had fun taking the pictures yesterday! It's not everyday that you happen to have a third person on hand to take pictures of you and the one you love :)

I like #4. The shape of the top is very flattering for a portrait and just a little bit dressier for the big engagement photo. I haven't even begun to think about what to wear for mine. Ugh. Now I need to go shopping.